A DRUNKEN man tried to force his way into his neighbours' home while yelling obscenities and threats, a court heard.
Welshpool Magistrates were told this week that there was a history between Steven Michael Price, 33, and his next-door neighbour Anthony Bowkett, which is believed to have prompted an incident on November 29.
Price shouted obscenities while trying to force his way into the couple's Churchstoke home.
He admitted a charge of threatening behaviour over the Orchard Close incident at a hearing in Welshpool on Tuesday, December 19.
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Prosecutor Helen Tench said: “It was around 7pm, Anthony Bowkett was at home with his wife, when they heard a loud bang at the front door, which made them jump.
“Mrs Bowkett opened the door, it was the defendant, shouting obscenities. He leant in and held the door with his right foot."
The court heard that he shouted through the door and said: "I’m going to smash your head in".
Mrs Tench added: "He appeared agitated and aggressive. She had to push him out of the door.
“He returned home but then came back, he punched and kicked the door. He pushed his face up against the frosted glass. The incident was captured on a mobile phone.
“The defendant is known to the victims, there is a background to the matter.”
Reading from a victim impact statement provided by Mr Bowkett, Mrs Tench said: “The incident has increased my anxiety, I continuously worry about what will happen next.
“My wife suffers from depression, she has had to be signed off work.”
Mrs Tench said the family had made a request for a restraining order.
Probation officer Julian Davies interviewed the defendant and told magistrates that Price had told him he “wasn’t in a good place” at the time.
“He had been drinking from late in the afternoon and had been taking anti-depressants, which he feels affected his behaviour,” said Mr Davies.
“There has been a history between the neighbours, it came to a head on this day. He lost control and behaved in a despicable way. He genuinely regrets doing so.”
Mr Davies said Price, a self-employed landscaper with 16 convictions for 27 offences, is currently signed off from work and has suffered with anxiety and depression for two to three years.
Price was jailed in 2021 for 16 months over an incident relating to being in charge of a dangerous dog, the court heard.
Representing Price, Steven Meredith said: “After being released by the police he called me saying how stupid he’d been.
“He is a big family man, he has six children and a supportive partner."
Magistrates told Price to complete a 12-month community order, with 20 rehabilitation days, and he must wear an alcohol abstinence tag for 56 days.
“I hope you realise how scary this was for them,” Rebecca Klug, chair of the bench, told Price. “It has had a huge effect on them.”
Price must pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs. No compensation was ordered, but magistrates granted a 12-month restraining order.
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